Algoma Joins Whale Conservation Efforts
provided to Algoma vessel Captains earlier this year and information materials provided to crews to raise awareness about the different marine mammals that could be encountered on their journeys and to acquire more knowledge about these animals. Many of Algoma’s vessels operate in the Saint Lawrence Estuary, where they may come across beluga, harbor porpoise, minke, blue, fin, and humpback whales. Several vessels also navigate in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and on the Canadian and U.S. East Coast, where they could also come across dolphins, pilot whales, and North Atlantic right whales.MMON initiated
Oceanex Joins Fleet of Trained Whale Watchers
within their navigational realm, and to take actions during these encounters to limit or report collisions. The collaboration also increases multifold the opportunities to sensitize crews to respect voluntary measures that benefit whales, such as the voluntary speed reduction established in the St. Lawrence Estuary.” “Oceanex makes numerous trips within the St. Lawrence Estuary, and these many passages will help us to collect accurate benchmark data throughout the season about the presence of marine mammals within this navigational corridor,” adds Nolet. The addition
Chamber of Marine Commerce Statement on Right Whale Necropsy Results
being hosted at Dalhousie University. Past measures taken in critical habitat such as the Bay of Fundy in 2003 have reduced the threat of ship strikes to North Atlantic right whales by more than 80 per cent. Ships have also taken voluntary protection measures around Saguenay Fjord and the St. Lawrence Estuary, including reducing their speed in whale feeding grounds and avoiding a sensitive area frequently used by beluga herds composed of females and young. According to Parks Canada, speed reductions between 2013-2016 resulted in nearly a 40 per cent reduction in the risk of ship collisions
Funding Secured for Ocean Radar
Three years of additional operational funding in place for the WERA NorthernRadar system on the north shore of the Lower St. Lawrence Estuary The shore-based WERA NorthernRadar provides data for ocean surface currents and significant wave height and direction over long distances (up to 200 km) with spatial and temporal resolution. Two WERA NorthernRadar 12-channel systems were acquired through ASL with funding from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. The systems were installed in November 2012 by Dr. Cédric Chavanne of Institut des sciences de la mer (ISMER) at Université